Part 24: Introduction

Let's All Play Sherlock Holmes: Consulting Detective - The Pilfered Paintings

Introduction



"A pair of paintings, from a recently famed artist known as DeKuyper, are stolen from the National Gallery just days before they were to be revealed to the public in an art show. The unusual circumstances in which the paintings were originally acquired by the gallery only deepen the mystery."

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Monday, June 9th 1890



Thursday, January 1st 1891



Notebook (New clues will be spoilered.)

1. Holmes and Watson were visited by Sir Simpson. He spoke to the detectives about the theft of the two DeKuyper paintings from the National Gallery last night. An auction was held for these two paintings at Armitage's Gallery on July 1st 1890. Only six paintings by DeKuyper were known to have existed before then, one of those is currently in London as part of Lord Winslow Smedley's private collection. Sir Simpson managed to convince the respective owners of the existing DeKuyper paintings to bring them together for a single exhibition which was to be held in two days time, the paintings were due to be hung in the gallery tomorrow. Of the original six paintings, the four Louvre paintings are currently being held at The French Embassy, the Rijksmuseum painting is currently held in the gallery storeroom and Lord Smedley's is still in his private collection awaiting collection.

Locations

Armitage's Gallery - For three generations, Armitage's has been the city's most prestigious auction gallery, earning their reputation by putting before the art-buying public the best and rarest of objects. They are currently planning an auction of two newly discovered de Kuypers.

Banks - Cox & Company - Cox & Co. is a well-respected financial institution located in Charing Cross. Watson keeps all of the notes on my cases in a dispatch box in their vault.

Brill's Baths - Located at the East End, Watson claims Brill's salt-water baths are an excellent antidote for neck cricks and shoulder pains.

Carlton, The - The Carlton is a posh drinking establishment located not far from the Diogenes Club.

Central Carriage Stables - Central Carriage Stables is located at 5 Grey's Road, WC. It is at this location that all of London's cabs are stabled and dispatched. This is a good place to find information about people's movements around the city.

Cofman, Sir Herbert - Son of Robert Cofman, a railway magnate who also served in the Cabinet at the time of his death. Sir Herbert was knighted at the age of 28. He fell to financial ruin due to an unfortunate business investment in Bolivian railroads.

Cummins & Goins - A delivery service established by Mr. C.U. Cummins and Mr. Harry B. Goins, March of 1880.

Davenport, Hiram - Mr. Davenport is quite an overworked fellow. Specializes in setting up and administering estate. Never quite made the cut to barrister.

Ellis, Henry (London Times) - Baker Street Regular.

Embassies - French Embassy - The French Embassy is situated on the southern border of Hyde Park. Late last year, 1887, they offered an enormous sum of money to recover the stolen naval treaty.

Hall, Edward (Old Bailey) - Baker Street Regular.

Haxell's Restaurant - Haxell's is an elegant dining room, known for their impressive art collection and delectable food. It is said that the Queen herself sends out for their frogs' legs each evening around midnight.

Hogg, Quentin (Police Gazette) - Baker Street Regular.

Hotel's - Dover Rooms - A seedy hotel for passers-by. No questions asked on the registration card.

Hotel's - Langham Hotel - The Langham Hotel is located in the West End of London and boasts the city's most elegant accomodations. A favourite place of the King of Bohemia.

Hypsilanti, Angelo - Hypsilanti is a Greek shipping tycoon who makes his home in London. He has a very impressive art collection. Hypsilanti is known for his violent temper.

Lestrade, Inspector (Scotland Yard - Criminal Investigations) - Baker Street Regular.

Lloyd's Of London - Headquartered at the Royal Exchange, Lloyd's is a group of ship owners, merchants, underwriters, and ship and insurance brokers.

London Library - Baker Street Regular

Maddox, Clifton - Former art gallery owner before he turned to criminal activities. Maddox hasn't been convicted of anything, yet.

Meek, Sir Jasper (St. Bartholomew's Hospital) - Baker Street Regular.

Murray, H.R. (Scotland Yard - Criminology Lab) - Baker Street Regular.

Murray, Mortimer (London University) - H.R.'s brother, expert on paint pigment and instructor of Chemistry at London University.

National Gallery - The National Gallery is a superior art museum with the finest collection of Flemish and Dutch paintings. Located on Trafalgar Square.

Norris, Brady - Brady Norris is the curator of the National Gallery. He is responsible for some of its finest acquisitions.

O'Brian, Disraeli (Office Of Records) - Baker Street Regular.

Pike, Langdale (Society Club) - Baker Street Regular.

Raven & Rat Inn (Shinwell, Porky) - Baker Street Regular.

Red Bull Inn - The Red Bull Inn is a working class pub located upon the road to Priory School.

Shipping Companies - Jardine, Matheson & Co. - Steamship company located at 15 EC which operates several trans-oceanic vessels including the Hercules and the Eastern Empress.

Smedley, Dame Agnes - Poor Dame Agnes, Lord Smedley's spinster sister. Matrimony does not appear to be in the cards for her, although heaven knows that the Smedley estate has been invested by her brother for that purpose. Dame Agnes is known about London as an art gadfly.

Smedley, Lord Winslow - Son of the Duke of Malvern. He is exceedingly devoted to his older sister, the spinster, Dame Agnes.

Somerset House - Baker Street Regular.

Well's Warehouse - Nothing on file.

Time to vote!

You can choose up to, and including, five more locations for the detectives to visit. You're also free to send the Irregulars to one location.

It's too early to call for an end to the case.

Voting will end Thursday 11th June at 2200 GMT.